May 1, 1931: President Hoover Dedicates the Empire State Building On this day in 1931, President Hoover dedicated the Empire State Building by “turning on the lights” from Washington, D.C. In reality, the action was purely symbolic and someone in New York City actually turned on the lights. Throughout its construction, the Empire State Building was in a constant race with the Chrysler Building to become the tallest building. At completion, the Empire State Building won the title of the tallest skyscraper with 102 floors and a height of 1,250 feet. In 1972, the World Trade Center towers stole the title as the tallest skyscrapers. Today, the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai holds that title. Check out American Experience’s analysis of skyscrapers in Manhattan. Bottom Image: 1932 View from the Empire State Building, New York City (Library of Congress).
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May 1, 1931: President Hoover Dedicates the Empire State Building On this day in 1931, President Hoover dedicated the Empire State Building by “turning on the lights” from Washington, D.C. In reality, the action was purely symbolic and someone in New York City actually turned on the lights. Throughout its construction, the Empire State Building was in a constant race with the Chrysler Building to become the tallest building. At completion, the Empire State Building won the title of the tallest skyscraper with 102 floors and a height of 1,250 feet. In 1972, the World Trade Center towers stole the title as the tallest skyscrapers. Today, the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai holds that title. Check out American Experience’s analysis of skyscrapers in Manhattan. Bottom Image: 1932 View from the Empire State Building, New York City (Library of Congress).
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May 1, 1931: President Hoover Dedicates the Empire State Building

On this day in 1931, President Hoover dedicated the Empire State Building by “turning on the lights” from Washington, D.C. In reality, the action was purely symbolic and someone in New York City actually turned on the lights.

Throughout its construction, the Empire State Building was in a constant race with the Chrysler Building to become the tallest building. At completion, the Empire State Building won the title of the tallest skyscraper with 102 floors and a height of 1,250 feet.

In 1972, the World Trade Center towers stole the title as the tallest skyscrapers. Today, the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai holds that title.

Check out American Experience’s analysis of skyscrapers in Manhattan.

Bottom Image: 1932 View from the Empire State Building, New York City (Library of Congress).

Feb. 21, 1885: The Dedication of the Washington Monument On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated. Three years later, it was opened to the general public. The Washington Monument lies in the center of Washington, D.C. and it commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument was designed by Robert Mills and it was completed by Thomas Casey. Once construction was done, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest building, measuring 555 feet.  See how the Washington Monument and other iconic locations in Washington, D.C. have changed throughout the past 100 years. Top Photo: Washington Monument in 1860; Bottom Photo: Washington Monument in 1902 (Library of Congress).
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Feb. 21, 1885: The Dedication of the Washington Monument On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated. Three years later, it was opened to the general public. The Washington Monument lies in the center of Washington, D.C. and it commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument was designed by Robert Mills and it was completed by Thomas Casey. Once construction was done, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest building, measuring 555 feet.  See how the Washington Monument and other iconic locations in Washington, D.C. have changed throughout the past 100 years. Top Photo: Washington Monument in 1860; Bottom Photo: Washington Monument in 1902 (Library of Congress).
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Feb. 21, 1885: The Dedication of the Washington Monument

On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated. Three years later, it was opened to the general public.

The Washington Monument lies in the center of Washington, D.C. and it commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument was designed by Robert Mills and it was completed by Thomas Casey. Once construction was done, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest building, measuring 555 feet. 

See how the Washington Monument and other iconic locations in Washington, D.C. have changed throughout the past 100 years.

Top Photo: Washington Monument in 1860; Bottom Photo: Washington Monument in 1902 (Library of Congress).

September 18, 1793 George Washington Lays Cornerstone to the U.S. Capitol Building On this day in 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone to the United States Capitol building. The Capitol houses the Legislative Branch of the American government, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives.  The building took nearly a century to complete due to multiple setbacks, including changes in architects, a fire set by the British and its use as a hospital and barracks during the Civil War by Union troops. Benjamin Latrobe, who lived from 1764 to 1820, is known today mostly for his work on the central portions of the United States Capitol building. His work ultimately defined the first uniquely “American” architecture.Watch the documentary Benjamin Latrobe: America’s First Architect, which chronicles the life and work of the  early American architect. Also check out some fun facts and interesting history about the Capitol in this Wonders of the World building biography. Image: 1860 Photograph of Capitol with unfinished dome (National Archives).
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September 18, 1793

George Washington Lays Cornerstone to the U.S. Capitol Building

On this day in 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone to the United States Capitol building. The Capitol houses the Legislative Branch of the American government, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives. 

The building took nearly a century to complete due to multiple setbacks, including changes in architects, a fire set by the British and its use as a hospital and barracks during the Civil War by Union troops.

Benjamin Latrobe, who lived from 1764 to 1820, is known today mostly for his work on the central portions of the United States Capitol building. His work ultimately defined the first uniquely “American” architecture.

Watch the documentary Benjamin Latrobe: America’s First Architect, which chronicles the life and work of the  early American architect.

Also check out some fun facts and interesting history about the Capitol in this Wonders of the World building biography.

Image: 1860 Photograph of Capitol with unfinished dome (National Archives).

Source: to.pbs.org

August 15, 1914: Panama Canal Opens On this day in 1914, an American-built waterway across the Isthmus of Panama, called the Panama Canal, opened. The canal connected the world’s two largest oceans (the Atlantic and the Pacific) and signaled America’s emergence as a global superpower. Watch the American Experience documentary on the turmoil surrounding the building of the Panama Canal.
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August 15, 1914: Panama Canal Opens

On this day in 1914, an American-built waterway across the Isthmus of Panama, called the Panama Canal, opened. The canal connected the world’s two largest oceans (the Atlantic and the Pacific) and signaled America’s emergence as a global superpower.

Watch the American Experience documentary on the turmoil surrounding the building of the Panama Canal.

Source: to.pbs.org

June 8, 1867: Architect Frank Lloyd Wright Born On this day in 1867, American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born. One of the world’s most famous houses created by Frank Lloyd Wright is the weekend retreat called Fallingwater. Browse through drawings, photographs, and read the critical response to the design of Fallingwater at the time.
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June 8, 1867: Architect Frank Lloyd Wright Born

On this day in 1867, American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born.

One of the world’s most famous houses created by Frank Lloyd Wright is the weekend retreat called Fallingwater.

Browse through drawings, photographs, and read the critical response to the design of Fallingwater at the time.

Source: to.pbs.org

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